Disease Death and Doctors
This is a storytelling podcast that discusses the NON-chronological history of medicine (Because going in order sucks). A discussion of diseases, discoveries, and the doctors that left their mark (and sometimes scar) on the field of medicine. Things are going to get weird. Episodes released twice monthly for your auditory consumption. Music: The Road (Punk Rock Opera). Tom Podell (digital alteration of Wellcome Library historical watercolor CC by 4.0)
Episodes
Doctor John and Doctor Guy chit chat about the great Ambroise Pare. The French Barber Surgeon whose tight fades and man perms could only be out done by his battlefield surgical prowess and ingenious prosthesis designs. This rousing episode includes lots of amputations, some essential oils, ligatures, and a guest appearance by everyone's favorite magical stone.
Doctor John and Doctor Guy discuss Chagas Disease and the "Kissing Bug." Nothing says "I love you" like a parasitic infection caused by a bug that defecates near your mouth after it kisses (bites) you.
The honorable doctor John and less honorable doctor Guy bask in the greatness of Doctor Daniel Hale Williams, the only African-American selected as a charter member to the American College of Surgeons and the man, the myth, the legend, credited with performing the first successful open heart surgery. All he needed were his bare hands, a scalpel, and a wooden stethoscope.
Oh... and a pair of really big beach balls.
The honorable Doctor John and Doctor Guy discuss their 5th favorite Olympic sport... Polio, as well as the worlds last great vaccination victory. Virus eradication is sweet! (Iron Lungs... less sweet)
Doctor John and Doctor Guy roll their wagon wheel along the Oregon Trail as they describe the dangers and maladies of the 2170 mile long journey as well as the unfortunate paucity of medical interventions available to the average traveler. It was a magical place where Arrows, lightening strikes, mule kicks, and a plethora of diseases awaited the weary settlers... all of whom were probably treated with enemas.
Ox wander...
The honorable doctor John and the less honorable doctor Guy dive into one of the classic medical history origin stories, that of the great William Stewart Halsted. One of the original Johns Hopkins "Big Four," a visionary surgeon and reformer of surgical training in the United States, and... a functional cocaine addict (aka. a rainbow sniffer, a snowblower, a real crack o'lantern). Everyone has a skeleton in their ...
Doctor John and Doctor Guy wade into a swampy mosquito infested marsh to discuss plasmodium falciparum and malaria in all its historical glory. Damn you mosquitos, you could have spread something good, like "the word" or even "Christmas Cheer" but all you've done is given us the gift of Malaria! With that said, any disease that led to the creation of the Gin and Tonic can't be all that bad... unless...
Doctor John and Doctor Guy attempt to navigate the strange world of Mass Hysteria. The discussion of the now antiquated term, Hysteria, begins with its misogynistic past and will finish with some of the more bizarre cultural examples of how fear, stress, and the mind worked together to entrap the masses... because hysteria loves company. (And no... this podcast will not cause Koro.) Happy listening!
Doctor John and Doctor Guy discuss our favorite neighborhood deadly spore, Anthrax! The gang will attempt to pronounce the generic names of various monoclonal antibody treatments... AND will discuss the history of "Death Island!!" aka Anthrax Island, aka Gruinard Island. (...Possible site for the next Trump International Golf Course..?) A 2kilometer Scottish Isle that claimed the lives of more "sheep" then an...
The honorable doctor John and the less honorable doctor Guy are back for a second season of perpetual digression... and of course... diseases, death, and doctors. Our dynamic duo has come out guns blazing for the season 2 premier, where they will tackle the epic history of Scurvy, aka. the sexiest vitamin deficiency of our time!
NEW Season of Disease Death and Doctors! Doctor John and Doctor Guy are back with new episodes available for your auditory digestion in mid to late October 2021. The perfect medical history podcast for fall foliage gazing, killing off unused brain cells, and pumpkin spice lattes. (For serious, ask any of our 3 listeners...)
In the final episode of Season I, Doctor John and Doctor Guy discuss the time Napoleon "dropped the Crepe" and lost nearly 50,000 French troops in the West Indies to Yellow Fever and the army of a brilliant freed slave, L'Ouverture, ultimately setting the stage for the Louisiana Purchase. (AKA The United States biggest land purchase #ever) History and science are all over this one.
Doctor John and Doctor Guy chat about the Great Plague of Marseille (the last of the 6 great European Plagues), as well as, Renaissance Fairs, Medieval Times, "plague piles," and giant Turkey Legs. Prepare to be enlightened.
Dr John and Dr Guy discuss the intriguing history of Rabies. We will discuss hydrophobia, vampires, Dr John's pet bat, and the generational Bad Ass, Louis Pasteur. (As well as the "safety first" lab environment Pasteur fostered during his vaccine research. Hey other labs... Hold my Beer.)
Doctor John and Doctor guy attempt to control their ADD as they discuss the medical contributions of Roman Antiquity. Lead catheters, bowel surgery, and beast milk help to keep things weird.
Doctors John and Guy discuss the medical contributions of Greek antiquity. A rousing conversation encompassing Hippocrates, olive oil, and rectal speculums.
Doctor John and Doctor Guy discuss the "storied" history of Johns Hopkins Hospital, its affiliated School of Medicine, and the official turning point of medical education in America. It turns out that if you don't marry your cousin, good things happen. Trust me.
Doctor John and Doctor Guy shoot from the hip as they discuss the infamous history of the one of the great imitators, Syphilis, a classic STD that left its mark on man and womankind. "I mean... I'm pretty sure I got it after using that public restroom..."
Doctors John and Guy discuss natures most badass parasite, yes... the Hookworm, and its impact on the perception of the postbellum southern states. Fried Chicken, Potato Salad, Grits and "Ground Itch!" Also... a little outhouse trivia!
Doctor John and Doctor Guy take a running start before plunging headfirst into the rice water filled rabbit hole that is the discussion of Cholera, John Snow, and the great London Cholera outbreak of 1854.
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